Stackable cleaner

ABSTRACT

A stackable cleaner or product applicator is described in which a rigid applicator body has a downwardly opening compartment surrounded by a skirt and an upper compartment surrounded by an upwardly extending wall, the upper compartment containing a foam body and fluid or gel and being closed by means of a removable top wall fixed to the top periphery of the upwardly extending wall. The downwardly extending skirt is sized to accept the upwardly extending wall of an identical unit whereby multiple units may be stacked in a nested configuration.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a combined disposable rigid containerand cleaner. More particularly the invention relates to a rigidstackable package including a sealed upper compartment containing asponge and a quantity of cleaning fluid and a lower compartmentsurrounded by a skirt accepting the upper compartment of an identicalunit whereby multiple units can be stacked into a retail product.

[0002] Consumers encounter surfaces they wish to clean on a regularbasis. This is especially true when a person is traveling, not at homeor away from home. Toilet seats in public restrooms are prime examples.However, other surfaces upon which one sits or places valuable ordelicate possessions also fall into this category. One can wipe suchsurfaces with a tissue but such a procedure is not always satisfactory.Even if one wets a tissue or paper towel and applies soap or anothercleaning agent, one is still doing less than optimal cleaning and islikely to get dirt on one's hand from the tissue or paper towel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention provides a relatively rigid applicator bodyhaving a horizontal base wall, a downwardly extending skirt, an upwardlyextending side wall and a top wall. The horizontal base wall, theupwardly extending side wall and the top wall define an uppercompartment. A compressible foam body sized to extend beyond the uppercompartment in a relaxed state is sealed into the upper compartmentalong with a quantity of cleaning fluid. In one embodiment, the top wallis a sealing film. The sealing film is a sheet sealed around the entireperiphery of the upper compartment and has a tab extending beyond theupper compartment periphery allowing the user to remove the seal whendesired. Several of these identical units are stacked and a cap placedover the top unit forming a retail product. The applicator bodies havetwo long sides and shorter ends with the long sides being gently curvedand parallel to one another providing an overall shape for the finishedproduct which is easily carried in a pocket, purse or brief case.

[0004] In accordance with the present invention, the applicator body ofthe product is fabricated from rigid plastic material.

[0005] Still further in accordance with the present invention, the foambody contained in the applicator rigid body has a width dimensionslightly greater than the width dimension of the compartment in which itis contained whereby a slight interference fit is created.

[0006] Still further in accordance with the invention, the foam body iscut from a sheet material giving the foam body blanks a generallyrectangular, flat, shape.

[0007] Yet further in accordance with the invention, the upwardlyextending side wall surrounding the upper compartment has a shoulder atone end creating a contained volume when mated with the skirt of amating unit, said volume accommodating the tab of the sealing film.

[0008] It is the principal object of the present invention to provide acleaner or applicator product comprising an applicator pad or spongesealed within a rigid applicator body which can be easily and safelystored, easily opened and in which the applicator body functions as arigid handle for the sponge in use.

[0009] It is another object of the present invention to provide acombined container and cleaner allowing one to use the applicatorproduct to clean a surface without touching the surface or the pad orsponge during this operation.

[0010] It still a further object of the present invention to provide aapplicator body which is rigid, durable, not subject to puncture orfailure by compression, pleasing in appearance, easy to open, watertight and stackable.

[0011] It still another object of the present invention to provide acleaner which is economical to manufacture, pleasing in appearance, easyto carry and easy to use.

[0012] These and other objects of the present invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from the following descriptiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0013]FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a stackable applicator orcleaner in accordance with the present invention in the ready to useconfiguration;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a top view of the stackable applicator or cleaner ofFIG. 1;

[0015]FIG. 3 is a side view of the stackable applicator or cleaner ofFIGS. 1 and 2;

[0016]FIG. 4 is cross-sectional view of the applicator or cleaner ofFIGS. 1-3 taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

[0017]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the applicator or cleaner of FIGS.1-4;

[0018]FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the stackable applicator orcleaner of FIGS. 1-5 in the sealed configuration with the spongerestrained by a sealing film;

[0019]FIG. 7 is a top view of the stackable applicator or cleaner in thesealed configuration;

[0020]FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the stackable applicator orcleaner in the sealed configuration;

[0021]FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the applicator or cleaner inthe sealed configuration taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 6;

[0022]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the applicator or cleaner seen inFIGS. 1-9 in the sealed configuration;

[0023]FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of a stack of applicator orcleaner as seen in FIGS. 1-10 with a cap;

[0024]FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the stack of FIG. 11;

[0025]FIG. 13 is a cross-section of the stack of applicator or cleanerseen in FIG. 11 taken along line 11-11;

[0026]FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the stack of applicator or cleanerseen in FIGS. 11-13;

[0027]FIG. 15 is a top view of the stack of applicator or cleaner seenin FIGS. 11-14;

[0028]FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the stack of applicator orcleaner seen in FIGS. 11-15;

[0029]FIG. 17 is a front elevational view of a stackable applicator orcleaner in accordance with another embodiment of the present inventionin the ready to use configuration;

[0030]FIG. 18 is a top view of the stackable applicator or cleaner ofFIG. 17;

[0031]FIG. 19 is a side view of the stackable applicator or cleaner ofFIGS. 17 and 18;

[0032]FIG. 20 is cross-sectional view of the applicator or cleaner ofFIGS. 17-19 taken along line 20-20 of FIG. 17;

[0033]FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the applicator or cleaner ofFIGS. 17-21;

[0034]FIG. 22 is a front elevational view of the stackable applicator orcleaner of FIGS. 17-20 in the sealed configuration with the spongerestrained by a top;

[0035]FIG. 23 is a top view of the stackable applicator or cleaner ofFIG. 17 in the sealed configuration;

[0036]FIG. 24 is a side elevational view of the stackable applicator orcleaner of FIG. 17 in the sealed configuration;

[0037]FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of the applicator or cleaner ofFIG. 17 in the sealed configuration taken along line 25-25 of FIG. 22;

[0038]FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the applicator or cleaner seen inFIGS. 17-25 in the sealed configuration;

[0039]FIG. 27 is an exploded perspective view similar to FIG. 26 showingthe components of the applicator or cleaner in FIGS. 17-26;

[0040]FIG. 28 is an enlarged detail view of the top of the sidewall, thetop and the tab of the applicator or cleaner seen in FIGS. 17-27;

[0041]FIG. 29 is a front elevational view of a stack of applicators orcleaners as seen in FIGS. 17-28 with a cap;

[0042]FIG. 30 is a side elevational view of the stack of FIG. 29;

[0043]FIG. 31 is a cross-section of the stack of applicators or cleanersseen in FIG. 29 taken along line 31-31;

[0044]FIG. 32 is a bottom view of the stack of applicators or cleanersseen in FIGS. 29-31;

[0045]FIG. 33 is a top view of the stack of applicators or cleaners seenin FIGS. 29-32; and,

[0046]FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the stack of applicators orcleaners seen in FIGS. 29-33.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0047] Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for thepurposes of illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention and notfor the purposes of limiting same, FIG. 1 shows a cleaner or applicatorunit 10 in accordance with the invention. The applicator unit 10comprises a applicator rigid body 12, a foam body 14 and a quantity offluid 16 absorbed in the foam body 14. Alternatively, the fluid 16 canbe a gel or paste for use in cleaning or other applications such aspolishing. Referring now to FIG. 4, the applicator rigid body 12comprises a horizontal wall 20, a skirt 22 extending downwardly from thehorizontal wall 20 and surrounding a lower compartment 24, and anupwardly extending wall 26 surrounding an upper compartment 28 in whichthe foam body 14 is partially disposed. As can be seen in FIG. 2, therigid body 12 has a slightly concave front 32, a slightly convex back34, an arcuate left end 36 and an arcuate right end 38. The front 32 andback 34 are generally parallel to one another. The applicator rigid body12 is slightly greater than 2.5 inches wide from the left end 36 to theright end 38 and approximately one half inch deep from the outside ofthe front 32 to the back 34. The overall depth dimension is somewhatgreater than one half inch because the front wall and back wall are bothcurved. The skirt 22 has a generally uniform profile extending uniformlyacross the front 32, the back 34, the left end 36 and the right end 38of the applicator rigid body 12. The skirt profile is a generally planardownwardly extending wall with a slight amount of draft to theaccommodate the manufacturing process, injection molding. Five bumps 42protrude from the outer surface of the front of the skirt near itsbottom center. Similarly, five bumps 44 protrude from the outer surfaceof the center of the back 34 near its bottom. The bumps 42, 44 aretactile cues easing gripping of the applicator rigid body 12 by a user.

[0048] The upwardly extending wall 26 has a generally uniform profileacross the front 32, around the left end 36 and across the back 34. Theprofile of the upwardly extending wall is that of a wall having twogenerally planar sides slightly tapering toward one another in theupward direction to accommodate the injection molding process. Threevertically orientated ridges 46 are provided near the bottom of thecenter of the front of the outside surface of the upwardly extendingwall. Similarly, three ridges 48 are provided on the outer lower surfaceof the back of the upwardly extending wall 26.

[0049] The right end of the upwardly extending wall 26 has a profilediffering from the remaining portions of the upwardly extending wall 26.The right end profile has a short bottom portion 52 extending generallyvertically, an inwardly extending sloped shoulder portion 54 and anupper vertically extending portion 56.

[0050] An upwardly extending ridge 50 is provided at the lower extremityof the outside surface of the left end of the upwardly extending wall26. An identical ridge 51 is provided on the bottom of the rightshoulder 52. The top edge 58 of the upwardly extending wall 26 is flatand smooth around its entire periphery.

[0051] The foam body 14 conforms to the shape of the upper compartment28. Preferably, the foam body 14 is a rectangular piece of foam orsponge cut from sheet material. In the preferred embodiment, the sheetmaterial is approximately a quarter of an inch thick, slightly thickerthan the width of the upper compartment 28. The foam body 14 is placedin the upper compartment 28 and, preferably, is adhered to the top ofthe horizontal wall 20. As can be seen in FIGS. 1-5, and 17 when thefoam body 14 uncompressed, it extends beyond the top edge 58 of theapplicator rigid body 12. In this configuration, a consumer can graspthe applicator rigid body 12 and use it to clean a surface by rubbingthe portion of the foam body 14 extending from the upper compartment 28over the surface. The fluid 16 or gel, which is preferably anisopropanol solution, cleans the surface in question.

[0052] Prior to use, the foam body is retained completely within theupper compartment 28. Referring now to FIGS. 6-10, the cleaner orapplicator 10 is shown in the sealed configuration. A top wall, in thisembodiment, a sealing film 60, extends over the top of the uppercompartment 28 of the applicator rigid body 12. The sealing film 60 issealed to the top edge 58 of the upwardly extending wall 26. While thesealing film 60 can be fixed to the top edge 58 by any suitable means,it is preferred to heat seal the sealing film 60 to the top edge 58.Heat sealing materials and techniques are well known in the industry andwidely used on food containers (e.g. yogurt containers) and are readilyavailable in commerce. The sealing film 60 has a closure portion 62 anda tab 64. The closure portion 62 is identical in shape to the top edge58 of the upwardly extending wall 26 surrounding the upper compartment28. The tab 64 extends outwardly from the closure portion 62 at theright end 38 of the applicator 12. The tab 64 is bent downwardly andlays along the right end 38 of the upwardly extending wall 26. As can beseen in FIG. 6, because the right end of the upwardly extending wall 26includes a shoulder portion 54, there is room for the tab 64.

[0053] Referring now to FIG. 9, one sees that the upper compartment 28is surrounded by the horizontal wall 20, the upwardly extending wall 26and the sealing film 60 creating a hermetically sealed compartment. Thefoam body 14 and a fluid 16 or gel are contained within the sealed uppercompartment 28. The fluid or gel 16 can not evaporate.

[0054] A plug or stopper can be used in place of the sealing film 60.The stopper, not shown, has a flat, horizontal surface having a shapeidentical to the inner edge of the upwardly extending wall 26 plus a tabextending above the shoulder 54. A stopper skirt extends downwardly fromthe stopper horizontal surface and engages the inside of the upwardlyextending wall 26. A horizontal ridge extends around the periphery ofthe skirt and engages a mating recess in the inside surface of theupwardly extending wall 126, holding the stopper in place. The uppercompartment is opened by grasping the tab and removing the stopper. Thestopper is, in effect, a removable top wall just as the film 60 is aremovable top wall.

[0055] Referring now to FIGS. 11-13, a stack of four identical cleanersor applicators 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d in the sealed condition isillustrated. The stack of cleaners is shown in cross section in FIG. 13.It can be seen that the upwardly extending wall 26 of the lowest unitextends into and is surrounded by the downwardly extending skirt 22 ofthe next higher unit. This is true for each of the units save thetopmost unit. For the topmost unit, the upwardly extending wall 26 iscontained within a cap 70. The cap 70 comprises a horizontal wall 72 anda downwardly extending skirt 74. The horizontal wall 72 is identical tothe horizontal wall 20 of the applicator body 12. The skirt 74 isidentical to the skirt 22 of the applicator body 12. Thus, the upwardlyextending wall 26 of the top most unit 10 d extends into and issurrounded by the skirt 74 of the cap 70. In this nested configuration,the ridges 46, 48, 50, 51 on the outside of the upwardly extending wall26 wedge against the inner surface of the skirt 22 of the next higherunit holding the ensemble together.

[0056] As can be seen in FIGS. 1, 6, and 11, the bottom edge 80 of theskirt 22 is not straight and flat. Rather, the bottom edge of the leftend and right end of the skirt 22 are flat and the bottom edge of thefront and back of the skirt are slightly concave. This shape is matchedby the top edge 82 of the skirt so that adjacent applicators 10 a, 10 b,10 c and 10 d mate together with an aesthetically pleasing close edgeand a central curve.

[0057] The assembled multi-unit stack of applicator or cleaner units 10a-10 d with the cap 70 is sold as a unit and is conveniently packable bythe consumer. The entire assembly is only slightly greater than fourinches in height, two and two-thirds inch in width and two thirds inchesthick. Moreover, the sidewalls of the entire stack of unit are curvedand conveniently rest in a person's pocket. Applicator rigid bodies 12are rigid and nested. The sealed upper compartments 28 containing thefluid or gel are well protected. Two rigid walls, the upwardly extendingwall 26 and the skirt of an adjacent unit 22 or of the cap 74, protecteach upper compartment 28. The upper compartments are thereforeexceedingly unlikely to be compressed to bursting or to be punctured asmight be the case of a moistened wipe packed in foil envelope.

[0058] In use, a consumer buys the commercial stack as shown in FIGS.11-14 and places the stack in a pocket, purse or other carry bag. Whenthe consumer encounters a surface to be cleaned, he simply removes thebottom unit 10 a or top unit 10 d (replacing the cap on the remainingunits). He can put the remaining units away and pull the tab 64 toremove the top film 60 on the selected applicator or cleaner unit 10.This releases the foam body 14 which extends outwardly from the top ofthe upper compartment 28 and is available for swabbing the intendedsurface. The user can swab the surface while maintaining a sure grip onthe applicator rigid body 12. The applicator 10 is then discarded in aconvenient receptacle and the fluid or gel solution used to swab theselected surface evaporates.

[0059] The unit 10 described above is manufactured by injection moldingan appropriate plastic such as polypropylene into the applicator rigidbody 12 and cap 70. Adhesive is applied to the top surface of thehorizontal wall 20 or the bottom surface of the foam body 14 and thefoam body 14 inserted into the upper compartment 28. Fluid or gel 16 isapplied to the foam body 14 and the sealing film 60 applied over thefoam body 14 compressing it into the upper compartment 28 bringing thesealing film closure portion 62 into contact with the top edge 58 of theupwardly extending wall 26. The sealing film 60 is then sealed to thetop edge 58 by known heat sealing techniques. A completed unit 10 isthus manufactured. Several of the unit are then stacked as seen in FIG.11 and packaged for sale at retail. Of course, fluids, gels and pastesother than cleaning fluids can be used. Surface treatments such as vinylprotectors, shoe polishes, topical medications, or other materials canbe applied to the foam body 14 and sealed into the upper compartment 28.A clean, and if needed, sterile product applicator is provided in aconvenient multiple unit package.

[0060] Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 17-34.Referring to FIG. 17, the applicator unit 110 comprises a applicatorrigid body 112, a compressible foam body 114 and a quantity of fluid 116absorbed in the foam body 114. Alternatively, the fluid 116 can be a gelor paste for use in cleaning or other applications such as polishing.Referring now to FIG. 20, the applicator rigid body 112 comprises ahorizontal base wall 120, a skirt 122 extending downwardly from thehorizontal base wall 120 and defining a lower compartment 124, and anupwardly extending wall 126 defining an upper compartment 128 in whichthe foam body 114 is partially disposed. The horizontal base wall isfabricated as a separate piece and ultimately jointed to the skirt 122and upwardly extending wall 126 as will be described hereinafter.

[0061] As can be seen in FIG. 18, the rigid body 112 has a slightlyconcave front 132, a slightly convex back 134, an arcuate left end 136and an arcuate right end 138. The front 132 and back 134 are generallyparallel to one another. The applicator rigid body 112 is slightlygreater than 2.5 inches wide from the left end 136 to the right end 138and approximately one half inch deep from the outside of the front 132to the back 134. The overall depth dimension is somewhat greater thanone half inch because the front wall and back wall are both curved. Theskirt 122 has a generally uniform profile extending uniformly across thefront 132, the back 134, the left end 136 and the right end 138 of theapplicator rigid body 112. The skirt profile is a generally planardownwardly extending wall with a slight amount of draft to accommodatethe manufacturing process, injection molding. Five bumps 142 protrudefrom the outer surface of the front of the skirt near its bottom center.Similarly, five bumps 144 protrude from the outer surface of the centerof the back 134 near its bottom. The bumps 142, 144 are tactile cueseasing gripping of the applicator rigid body 112 by a user.

[0062] The upwardly extending wall 126 has a generally uniform profileacross the front 132, around the left end 136 and across the back 134.The profile of the upwardly extending wall is that of a wall having twogenerally planar sides slightly tapering toward one another in theupward direction to accommodate the injection molding process. Twovertically orientated ridges 146 are provided near the bottom of thefront of the outside surface of the upwardly extending wall. Similarly,two ridges 148 are provided on the outer lower surface of the back ofthe upwardly extending wall 126.

[0063] The right end of the upwardly extending wall 126 has a profilediffering from the remaining portions of the upwardly extending wall126. The right end profile has a short bottom portion 152 extendinggenerally vertically, and an inwardly extending sloped shoulder portion154. An upwardly extending ridge 150 is provided at the lower extremityof the outside surface of the right end of the upwardly extending wall126. An identical ridge 151 is provided on the bottom of the rightshoulder 152. The top edge 158 of the upwardly extending wall 126 isopen in the configuration seen in FIGS. 17-21.

[0064] The foam body 114 conforms to the shape of the upper compartment128. Preferably, the foam body 114 is a rectangular piece of foam orsponge cut from sheet material. In the preferred embodiment, the sheetmaterial is approximately a quarter of an inch thick, slightly thickerthan the width of the upper compartment 128. The foam body 114,preferably, adhered to the top of the horizontal wall 120. As can beseen in FIGS. 17-21, when the foam body 114 uncompressed, it extendsbeyond the top edge 158 of the applicator rigid body 112. In thisconfiguration, a consumer can grasp the applicator rigid body 112 anduse it to clean a surface by rubbing the portion of the foam body 114extending from the upper compartment 128 over the surface. The fluid 116or gel, which is preferably an isopropanol solution, cleans the surfacein question.

[0065] Prior to use, the foam body is retained completely within theupper compartment 128. Referring now to FIGS. 22-27, the cleaner orapplicator 110 is shown in the sealed configuration. A top wall 160extends over the top of the upper compartment 128 of the applicatorrigid body 112. The top wall 160 is fixed to the top edge 158 of theupwardly extending wall 126. The top wall 160, the upwardly extendingwall 126 and the skirt 122 are integrally formed in an injection moldingprocess. The top wall 160 is joined around its entire periphery to thetop edge 158 of the upwardly extending wall 126 by a very thin web 166,a portion of which is seen in FIG. 28. The top wall 160 has a closureportion 162 and a tab 164. The closure portion 162 is identical in shapeto the top of the upper compartment 128 and closes the top completely.The tab 164 extends outwardly from the closure portion 162 at the rightend 138 of the applicator 112. The tab 164 extends outwardly over theshoulder 154 at right end 138 of the upwardly extending wall 126. As canbe seen in FIG. 26, because the right end of the upwardly extending wall126 includes a shoulder portion 154, there is room for the tab 164.

[0066] Referring now to FIG. 25, one sees that the upper compartment 128is enclosed by the horizontal wall 120, the upwardly extending wall 126and the top wall 160 creating a hermetically sealed compartment. Thefoam body 114 and a fluid 116 or gel are contained within the sealedupper compartment 128. The fluid or gel 116 can not evaporate.

[0067] Referring now to FIGS. 29-31, a stack of four identical cleanersor applicators 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d in the sealed condition isillustrated. The stack of cleaners is shown in cross section in FIG. 31.It can be seen that the upwardly extending wall 126 of the lowest unitextends into and is surrounded by the downwardly extending skirt 122 ofthe next higher unit. This is true for each of the units save thetopmost unit 10 d. For the topmost unit, the upwardly extending wall 126is contained within a cap 170. The cap 170 comprises a horizontal wall172 and a downwardly extending skirt 174. The horizontal wall 172 isidentical in shape to the horizontal wall 120. The skirt 174 isidentical to the skirt 122 of the applicators 110. Thus, the upwardlyextending wall 126 of the top most unit 110 d extends into and issurrounded by the skirt 174 of the cap 170. In this nestedconfiguration, the ridges 146, 148, 150, 151 on the outside of theupwardly extending wall 126 wedge against the inner surface of the skirt122 of the next higher unit holding the ensemble together.

[0068] As can be seen in FIGS. 17, 21, and 29, the bottom edge 180 ofthe skirt 122 is not straight and flat. Rather, the bottom edges of theleft end and right ends of the skirt 122 are flat and the bottom edgesof the front and back of the skirt are slightly concave. This shape ismatched by the top edge 182 of the skirt so that adjacent applicators110 a, 110 b, 110 c and 110 d mate together with an aestheticallypleasing close edge and a central curve.

[0069] The assembled multi-unit stack of applicator or cleaner units 110a-110 d with the cap 170 is sold as a unit and is conveniently packableby the consumer. The entire assembly is only slightly greater than fourinches in height, two and two-thirds inch in width and two thirds inchesthick. Moreover, the sidewalls of the entire stack of unit are curvedand conveniently rest in a person's pocket. Applicator rigid bodies 112are rigid and nested. The sealed upper compartments 128 containing thefluid or gel are well protected. Two rigid walls, the upwardly extendingwall 126 and the skirt of an adjacent unit 122 or of the cap 174,protect each upper compartment 128. The upper compartments are thereforeexceedingly unlikely to be compressed to bursting or to be punctured asmight be the case of a moistened wipe packed in foil envelope.

[0070] In use, a consumer buys the commercial stack as shown in FIGS. 29and 34 and places the stack in a pocket, purse or other carry bag. Whenthe consumer encounters a surface to be cleaned, he simply removes thebottom unit 110 a or top unit 110 d (replacing the cap on the remainingunits). He can put the remaining units away and pull the tab 164 to tearthe web joining the top wall 160 to the upwardly extending wall 126, onthe selected applicator or cleaner unit 110. This separates the top wall160 from the rigid body 112 and releases the foam body 114 which extendsoutwardly from the top of the upper compartment 128 and is available forswabbing the intended surface. The user can swab the surface whilemaintaining a sure grip on the applicator rigid body 112. The applicator110 is then discarded in a convenient receptacle and the fluid or gelsolution used to swab the selected surface evaporates.

[0071] The unit 110 described above is manufactured by injection moldingof the rigid components, namely, the two part applicator body 112 andthe cap 170. With reference to FIGS. 27 and 25, the rigid body 112comprises a first component 190 and a separate horizontal wall 120. Thefirst component is a unitary injection molded part including the topwall 160, tab 164, upwardly extending wall 126 and skirt 122. It iscontinuous and, except for the bottom opening, water tight. Thehorizontal wall 120 is a unitary injection molded part having a centralplanar portion 192 surrounded by an upwardly extending flange 194 and anoutwardly extending flange 196. A vertical stub 197 extends upwardlyfrom the center of the central planar portion 192. The stub 197 is ashort, flat stub extending transversely across the central planarportion 192. Two round bases 198, 199, FIG. 32, extend downwardly fromthe bottom of the central planar portion 192, one on each side of thestub 197. These elements are assembled as follows: adhesive 195 isapplied to the side of the horizontal wall 120 central planar portion192 facing the foam body 114. The foam body, which has a transverse slit118 across its center is brought into contact with the horizontal wall120 and fixed to it by the adhesive 195. A charge of selected fluid 116such as isopropyl alcohol, is charged into the foam body 114 or into theinverted first component 190. The horizontal wall 120 and foam body areinserted into the first component 190. The flanges 194, 196 abut againstridges formed inside the first component where the upwardly extendingwall 126 joins the skirt 122. The horizontal wall 120 is welded to thefirst component around its entire periphery sealing the uppercompartment 128. The flanges 194, 196 provide necessary rigidity,surface area and mass for achieving a good welded seal. The foam body114 and fluid 116 are thus sealed in the upper compartment and the fluidcan not evaporate away.

[0072] The bosses 198, 199 provide an alternate filling method. Thefirst component 190, foam body 114 and horizontal base wall 120 can beassembled without the fluid 116. After assembly and welding, fluid 116can be injected through one of bosses 198, 199 while the other boss ispenetrated with a venting needle. After charging of the compartment, thebosses are heat sealed, creating a fluid tight upper compartment 128. Acompleted unit 10 is thus manufactured.

[0073] Several of the units are then stacked as seen in FIG. 34 andpackaged for sale or retail. Of course, fluids, gels and pastes otherthan cleaning fluids can be used. Surface treatments such as vinylprotectors, shoe polishes, topical medications, or other materials canbe applied to the foam body 114 and sealed into the upper compartment128. A clean, and if needed, sterile product applicator is provided in aconvenient multiple unit package.

[0074] While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on thestructure of the preferred embodiments and the structuralinterrelationships between component parts of the preferred embodiments,it will be appreciated that many changes in these embodiments hereinillustrated and described can be made without departing from theprinciples of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be distinctlyunderstood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpretedmerely as illustrative of the preferred embodiments and not as alimitation.

Having thus described the invention, it is claimed:
 1. A stackableapplicator comprising: a rigid body comprising a base wall, a skirtextending downwardly from said base wall, at least one upper side wallextending upwardly from said base wall having a top edge, said at leastone upper side wall and said base wall defining an upper compartmenthaving an open top, said skirt and said base wall defining a lowercompartment having an open bottom; a compressible foam body received insaid upper compartment, said foam body extending above said at least oneupper side wall top edge when in an uncompressed state; a quantity offluid absorbed in said foam body; a sealing film fixed to said at leastone upper side wall top edge compressing said foam body into said uppercompartment and sealing said upper compartment; and, said skirt beingadapted to surround and engage the upper side wall of an identical rigidbody whereby several applicators may be compactly stacked.
 2. Theapplicator of claim 1 wherein said sealing film is heat sealed to saidupper side wall top edge.
 3. The applicator of claim 1 wherein said foambody has a bottom surface and said foam body bottom surface is adheredto said upper compartment.
 4. The applicator of claim 1 wherein saidrigid body has two long arcuate generally parallel sides and two endsconnecting said sides.
 5. The applicator of claim 4 wherein said foambody is flat when in an uncompressed state.
 6. The applicator of claim 4wherein said rigid body has a shoulder in one end and said sealing filmhas a tab extending beyond said top edge adjacent said shoulder.
 7. Amultiple unit applicator product comprising several identical sealedapplicator units and a cap, each applicator unit comprising: a rigidbody comprising a base wall, a skirt extending downwardly from said basewall, at least one upper side wall extending upwardly from said basewall having a top edge, said at least one upper side wall and said basewall defining an upper compartment having an open top, said skirt andsaid base wall defining a lower compartment having an open bottom; acompressible foam body received in said upper compartment, said foambody extending above said at least one upper side wall top edge when inan uncompressed state; a quantity of fluid or gel absorbed in said foambody; a sealing film fixed to said at least one upper side wall top edgecompressing said foam body into said upper compartment and sealing saidupper compartment; said skirt being adapted to surround and engage theupper side wall of an identical rigid applicator; and, said capcomprising a cap top wall and a cap skirt extending downwardly from saidtop wall, said top wall and said cap skirt defining a cap compartmenthaving an open bottom, said cap skirt being adapted to surround andengage the upper side wall of one of said applicator units wherebyseveral applicator units may be compactly stacked and the top mostapplicator unit is covered by said cap.
 8. The multiple unit applicatorproduct of claim 7 wherein said cap top wall is generally flat.
 9. Astackable product applicator comprising: a rigid body comprising a basewall, a skirt extending downwardly from said base wall, at least oneupper side wall extending upwardly from said base wall having a topedge, said at least one upper side wall and said base wall defining anupper compartment having an open top, said skirt and said base walldefining a lower compartment having an open bottom; a compressible foambody received in said upper compartment, said foam body extending abovesaid at least one upper side wall top edge when in an uncompressedstate; a quantity of fluid or gel absorbed in said foam body; a sealingfilm fixed to said at least one upper side wall top edge compressingsaid foam body into said upper compartment and sealing said uppercompartment; and, said skirt being adapted to surround and engage theupper side wall of an identical rigid applicator whereby severalapplicators may be compactly stacked.
 10. The product applicator ofclaim 9 wherein said sealing film is heat sealed to said upper side walltop edge.
 11. The product applicator of claim 9 wherein said foam bodyhas a bottom surface and said foam body bottom surface is adhered tosaid upper compartment.
 12. The product applicator of claim 9 whereinsaid rigid body has two long arcuate generally parallel sides and twoends connecting said sides.
 13. The product applicator of claim 12wherein said foam body is flat when in an restrained state.
 14. Theapplicator of claim 12 wherein said rigid body has a shoulder in one endand said sealing film has a removable tab extending beyond said top edgeadjacent said shoulder.
 15. A multiple unit applicator productcomprising several identical sealed applicator units and a cap, eachapplicator unit comprising: a rigid applicator body comprising a basewall, a skirt extending downwardly from said base wall, at least oneupper side wall extending upwardly from said base wall having a topedge, said at least one upper side wall and said base wall defining anupper compartment, said skirt and said base wall defining a lowercompartment having an open bottom; a compressible foam body received insaid upper compartment, said foam body extending above said at least oneupper side wall top edge when in an uncompressed state; a quantity offluid or gel absorbed in said foam body; a sealing top fixed to said atleast one upper side wall top edge compressing said foam body into saidupper compartment and sealing said upper compartment; said skirt beingadapted to surround and engage the upper side wall of an identical rigidbody; and, said cap comprising a cap top wall and a cap skirt extendingdownwardly from said horizontal wall, said top wall and said cap skirtdefining a cap compartment having an open bottom, said cap skirt beingadapted to surround and engage the upper side wall of one of saidapplicator units whereby several applicator units may be compactlystacked and the top most applicator unit covered by said cap.
 16. Themultiple unit applicator product of claim 15 wherein said cap top wallis generally flat.
 17. A stackable applicator comprising a rigidapplicator body comprising a base wall, a skirt extending downwardlyfrom said base wall, at least one upwardly extending side wall extendingupwardly from said base wall, a removable top, said base wall, side walland top defining an upper compartment closed by said removable top andsaid base wall and said skirt defining a lower compartment, acompressible foam body contained in said upper compartment; a quantityof fluid absorbed in said foam body, and, said applicator body lowercompartment being adapted to receive said upper compartment of anadjacent applicator whereby said applicator may be stacked withidentical applicators.
 18. The stackable applicator of claim 17 whereinsaid base wall is permanently welded into said applicator body.
 19. Thestackable applicator of claim 17 wherein said compressible foam body iscompressed in said upper compartment when said removable top is inplace.
 20. The stackable applicator of claim 19 wherein removal of saidremovable top creates a top opening in said upper compartment and saidcompressible foam body extends through said top opening.
 21. Thestackable applicator of claim 17 wherein said compressible foam body hasa bottom surface and said compressible foam body bottom surface is fixedto said base wall.
 22. The stackable applicator of claim 17 wherein saidrigid body has two long arcuate generally parallel sides and two endsconnecting said sides.
 23. The applicator of claim 22 wherein said rigidbody has a shoulder in one of said ends and said top has a first end anda tab extending from said first end, said tab disposed adjacent saidshoulder and adapted to be grasped by a user such that the user mayremove said top.
 24. A multiple unit applicator product comprisingseveral identical sealed applicator units and a cap, each applicatorunit comprising: a rigid body comprising a base wall, a skirt extendingdownwardly from said base wall, at least one upper side wall extendingupwardly from said base wall having a top edge, a removable top fixed tosaid side wall top edge, said at least one upper side wall, said basewall and said top defining an upper compartment closed by said removabletop, said skirt and said base wall defining a lower compartment havingan open bottom; a compressible foam body received in said uppercompartment, said foam body adapted to extend above said at least oneupper side wall top edge when in an uncompressed state or be containedin said upper compartment in a compressed state; a quantity of fluid orgel absorbed in said foam body; said skirt being adapted to surround andengage the upper side wall of an identical rigid applicator; and, saidcap comprising a cap top wall and a cap skirt extending downwardly fromsaid top wall, said top wall and said cap skirt defining a capcompartment having an open bottom, said cap skirt being adapted tosurround and engage the upper side wall of one of said applicator unitswhereby several applicator units may be compactly stacked and thetopmost applicator unit is covered by said cap.
 25. The multiple unitapplicator product of claim 14 wherein said cap top wall is generallyflat.
 26. A stackable product applicator comprising: a rigid bodycomprising a base wall, a skirt extending downwardly from said basewall, at least one upper side wall extending upwardly from said basewall having a top edge, a top removably fixed to said side wall aroundsaid entire top edge, said at least one upper side wall, said base walland said top defining an upper compartment having an openable closedtop; said skirt and said base wall defining a lower compartment havingan open bottom; a compressible foam body received in said uppercompartment, said foam body adapted to extend above said at least oneupper side wall top edge when in an uncompressed state and be containedin said upper compartment in a compressed state; a quantity of fluid orgel absorbed in said foam body; and, said skirt being adapted tosurround and engage the upper side wall of an identical rigid applicatorwhereby several applicators may be compactly stacked.
 27. The productapplicator of claim 26 wherein said base wall is fixed into said rigidbody by welding.
 28. The product applicator of claim 25 wherein saidfoam body has a bottom surface and said foam body bottom surface isadhered to said upper compartment.
 29. The product applicator of claim25 wherein said rigid body has two long arcuate generally parallel sidesand two ends connecting said sides.
 30. The product applicator of claim25 wherein said foam base wall has at least one boss adapted to allowinjection of fluid into said upper compartment.
 31. The applicator ofclaim 25 wherein said rigid body has a shoulder in one end and said tophas a tab extending beyond said top edge adjacent said shoulder.
 32. Amultiple unit applicator product comprising several identical sealedapplicator units and a cap, each applicator unit comprising: a rigidbody comprising a base wall, a skirt extending downwardly from said basewall, at least one upper side wall extending upwardly from said basewall having a top edge, a top removably fixed to said side wall aroundsaid top edge, said at least one upper side wall, said base wall andsaid top defining an upper compartment having an openable closed top;said skirt and said base wall defining a lower compartment having anopen bottom; a compressible foam body received in said uppercompartment, said foam body adapted to extend above said at least oneupper side wall top edge when in an uncompressed state and be containedin said upper compartment in said closed state; a quantity of fluid orgel absorbed in said foam body; said skirt being adapted to surround andengage the upper side wall of an identical rigid body; and, said capcomprising a cap top wall and a cap skirt extending downwardly from saidtop wall, said top wall and said cap skirt defining a cap compartmenthaving an open bottom, said cap skirt being adapted to surround andengage the upper side wall of one of said applicator units wherebyseveral applicator units may be compactly stacked and the top mostapplicator unit covered by said cap.
 33. The multiple unit applicatorproduct of claim 32 wherein said cap top wall is generally flat.
 34. Themultiple unit applicator product of claim 32 wherein said top, said atleast one upper side wall and said skirt are a unitary molded structure.35. The multiple unit applicator product of claim 33 wherein said basewall is welded into said unitary molded structure.
 36. The multiple unitapplicator product of claim 32 wherein said rigid body upper side wallhas a shoulder and said top has a tab adjacent said shoulder, said tabadapted to be grasped by a user for removal of said top.
 37. A method ofmaking an applicator product comprising the steps of: providing anapplicator body first component comprising at least one upper side wall,a skirt and an openable closed top; providing a compressible foam body;providing a quantity of fluid; providing a base wall; assembling saidapplicator body first component, said compressible foam body, saidquantity of fluid and said base wall creating said applicator productsuch that said foam body and said fluid is contained in an openableclosed upper compartment defined by said upper side wall, said top andsaid base wall with said foam body in a compressed state.
 38. The methodof claim 37 wherein said base wall is welded to said body firstcomponent.
 39. The method of claim 37 wherein said skirt and said basewall define a lower compartment and a plurality of said applicatorproducts are stacked with the upper compartment of at least one of saidapplicator products is received in said lower compartment of an adjacentapplicator product creating a stack of applicator products.
 40. Themethod of claim 39 wherein a cap is applied to a topmost applicatorproduct of said stack.